A death that is relatively pain free and in which suffering is minimized and the social and emotional needs of the dying person are met to the fullest extent possible; in short, as Avery Weisman says, "a death that someone might choose for himself or herself—if he or she had a choice." The aim of an approach to end-of-life care in which successful management of pain and other distressing symptoms, along with provision of emotional and spiritual support, allows a patient to live as fully as possible until the end of life.
compassionate cities
A public health model that encourages community participation in all types of end-of-life care.
death awareness movement
Activities intended to link the idea of compassion to health, death, and loss and to reconnect death and loss to the broader experience of change and endings.
ethical will
A document written as a nonmaterial bequest or gift to pass on to relatives and future generations one's personal values, life's lessons, beliefs, blessings, and inspirational advice.
good death
A death that confirms the highest values held by society, affirms the whole person and his or her most significant relationships, and without extreme physical, mental, or spiritual suffering.
horrendous death
A term coined by Daniel Leviton and William Wendt to describe deaths that originate in human activity and affect large numbers of people; examples include terrorism, assassination, and genocide.
